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BBC Learning English 6 Minute English: Glass Half Full
BBC Learning English 6 Minute English: Glass Half Full
6 Minute English
23 January 2014
Glass half full
NB: This is not a word-for-word transcript
Rob: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English, I'm Rob and with me is Finn.
Rob: You sound very cheerful – so, how are you feeling?
Finn: I'm good thanks. Things are going well. I'm here in the studio with you, I'm going
on holiday next week, and I'm really enjoying this cold weather.
Rob: Really – I think it's miserable outside but I suppose you're a good example of an
optimist - someone who always looks at life from a positive point of view. It's a
good thing, Finn. The opposite of an optimist is, of course, a pessimist.
Finn: Well Rob, there is some hope for pessimists because research is taking place to see
if people's attitude to life can be switched from negative to positive.
Rob: Well I'll drink to that! Finn, here's a glass of lemonade to celebrate – the only thing
is - it's half empty, there's not much left in there.
Finn: Stop complaining Rob – that's half full – look, there's still enough to enjoy.
Rob: If you say so. We'll explain more about that glass half empty saying shortly. But
first, how optimistic are you about getting today's question right?
Rob: OK. Well do you know who wrote this famous quote: "A pessimist sees difficulty in
every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty". Was it:
a) Winston Churchill
b) Oscar Wilde
c) Charles Dickens
Finn: It's a good quote. I'm not sure but I'm think I'll say b) Oscar Wilde.
Rob: You sound optimistic! I'll give you the answer at the end of the programme. So we
are talking about being an optimist or a pessimist. It's not something that can be
easily measured; it more of a state of mind.
Finn: A state of mind is how you think or feel. There are many factors that can influence
– or affect this. Certain events in a person's life, such as someone you know dying,
or losing your job, can trigger – or cause – a negative feeling about life.
Rob: And people with depression – a medical condition where someone is very unhappy
– tend to be pessimistic.
Finn: Indeed. But scientists are now looking inside our heads to see what's going on and
if there is a way to change how we feel.
Finn: What phrase does he use to describe the importance of optimism and pessimism in
our characters?
Rob: OK, so he says one of the fundamental drivers in shaping our personality is how
optimistic or pessimistic we are. A fundamental driver means the most important
thing that makes something happen.
Finn: So our outlook on life drives – or shapes – our behaviour, our emotions and
character traits – traits are the particular qualities we have. This subject is
described as 'one of the hottest new areas of research' – hottest here means latest
and most popular.
Rob: And the research may find a way to change people from seeing a glass being half
empty to one that is half full.
Finn: There's that phrase again! We sometimes say pessimistic people describe a glass of
water or beer as being half empty – they have already drunk half of it and there's
not much left.
Rob: But someone who is optimistic, like you Finn, would view the glass as being half full
– there is still half of the drink left to enjoy. It really depends on your point of
view – how you view things.
Finn: We asked our BBC Learning English audience how full or empty their glass is. What
have they been saying?
Rob: Mariola says "My glass is half full because I'm going on holiday next Friday!"
Finn: And Raquel says "My glass is always half full because it's the best way to be
happy!"
Rob: But Mon Tran says "My glass is half empty. I'm far away from my family and
missing them so much."
Finn: Well maybe scientists will be able to help Mon Tran and others to feel more
optimistic about life in the future? Well Rob, I'm optimistic that I got today's quiz
question right.
Rob: Let's find out. Earlier I asked who wrote this famous quote: "A pessimist sees
difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
Rob: You are wrong. They were the words of Winston Churchill. Ok that's it for this
programme. Do join us again soon for more 6 Minute English from BBC Learning
English.
Both: Bye.